Memories of Egypt

Title: Memories of Egypt – 3/8

Author: Telpei

Pairing(s): Seto/Jou, mentions of Priest Seto/Atemu

Beta: Jennie B.

Spoilers: Mentions of plot details from the series, up to the Doom arc.

Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from the Yu-Gi-Oh characters or episode details used in this story.

Summary: Seto has always been bothered by the idea of his Ancient Egyptian past, but what would life be like without it?

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Chapter 3

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Seto arrived at the principal’s office just in time to hear the tail end of an argument between the director of the school and his own little brother. He nodded at the secretary as he passed the woman at her desk, and approached the heavy wooden door to the right. The door was slightly ajar, so he could clearly hear the conversation going on within the office. Mokuba’s tone of voice and choice of words were entirely disrespectful, and they definitely lacked tact. If the boy wasn’t expelled for arson, at this rate he might well be expelled for rudeness. Seto cleared his throat and rapped his knuckles on the partially open door to alert the others to his presence. The voices immediately stopped, and the elderly principal quickly moved to open the door.

Saito Gunma was a man who ran a strict establishment, and it was reflected in his conservative appearance. The principal’s hair was snowy white and thin, especially on the crown of his head where his pale skin was visible beneath slight wisps of hair. His eyes were dark brown, nearly black, and they exuded intelligence from behind his thin-framed glasses. He was slim and short of stature, but intimidating despite his smaller size. He took a moment to appraise Seto’s appearance, and then stepped aside to accept the brunet into the room.

“Ah, Kaiba-san,” he greeted with a short bow. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“It wasn’t a problem, I assure you,” Seto replied in a polite tone, inclining his head towards the man in greeting. His eyes flickered to his little brother, and he was met with a steady glare. “I’m certain that I’m just as concerned as you are about Mokuba’s behaviour.”

The old man nodded and mumbled some affirmatives as he moved back behind his desk and settled into his chair. “Please, have a seat. There is much for us to discuss.”

The brunet nodded and seated himself in the comfortable arm chair beside Mokuba. “Before we go any further, I would like to hear my brother’s side of the story,” he stated. The principal nodded in understanding, and Seto turned his blue eyes to the younger teenager once more. “Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

Mokuba grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. With his chin tilted upwards a little and his nose in the air, the teen stared down his brother, and didn’t bother to give a verbal response.

From across the desk, the principal sighed. “Mokuba hasn’t spoken about the incident to me, either,” the man admitted. “He won’t give any explanation for his actions, incorrectly assuming that if he doesn’t confess, he won’t face any punishment.”

Seto raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” he questioned, never breaking his gaze with the slate gray eyes that bored into his heart with their obvious hatred. “Mokuba, I’ve told you many times how important it is to take responsibility for your actions. You’ve caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, and if I’m going to foot the bill for the repairs, then I’d like an explanation. You can’t expect that keeping your mouth shut about the circumstances of the situation will alleviate any charges against you. It’s – “

“I don’t need a lecture from you!” Mokuba cut in, quickly getting to his feet. His hands curled into fists at his sides and his entire posture was rigid with muscles tensed for flight. “I don’t have to explain myself, either, because I didn’t do it!”

Seto raised an eyebrow, and Gunma looked equally doubtful. “Mokuba,” the older man spoke, placing his elbows on the edge of his desk and steepling his fingers beneath his chin. “We have physical evidence that you were the one to cause the incident. The security surveillance system caught you.”

“Well, I didn’t do it!” the boy replied hotly, glaring forcefully at both adults. “I don’t know why I’m on that video tape, but I swear it wasn’t me! I’ve had enough of this bullshit!” he exclaimed, brushing past his brother and storming out of the office.

“Mokuba, wait!” the brunet called out, getting to his feet to follow the teen, but a few words from the principal stopped him in his tracks.

“Let him go, Kaiba-san. The police are waiting out front and I’m sure they’ll stop him before he gets too far,” the balding man claimed.

Seto nodded stiffly, slowly sinking back into the chair. He had noticed the police cars outside the main entrance of the school – it had been difficult not to notice them with their flashing red, blue, and white lights that lit up the scene in the descending darkness of evening. The fire had been put out by the time Seto had arrived, and although most of the large school was unharmed, a large majority of the Eastern Wing had been roped off. The students had all been taken home safely, and thankfully no one had gotten hurt during the incident. Now, only a few of the staff members remained at the building, and Seto imagined that Gunma would be the last to leave.

“Well then, I’ve been looking through Mokuba’s file,” the elder man stated, pulling out a slim folder from within a desk drawer. “His record has been clean until today, but I’m afraid that his crime will be permanently attached to his name. I’m also giving him a suspension for three days.”

The brunet nodded again, crossing his legs and clasping his hands in his lap. He had expected as much, after all. Although this was Mokuba’s first offense, it was also a very serious offense.

“However,” Gunma continued, “Since this behaviour is rare for Mokuba, I’m a little concerned. I understand that you and he moved recently?”

“Yes,” Seto agreed, frowning slightly. He didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking. “But I assure you that the move shouldn’t have had any negative effect on Mokuba. It happened months ago, so why would he be rebelling against it now?”

The principal shrugged. “I cannot answer that question, Kaiba-san. Have you had any arguments with him lately, or noticed any odd behaviour? Perhaps he’s started hanging out with a different group of friends?”

The CEO thought for a few moments in silence. He had argued with his brother about his credit card recently, and although it hadn’t seemed like a big deal at the time, perhaps it had been just one contributing factor to Mokuba’s short temper. The memories from this alternate reality caused by Seto’s wish reminded the brunet that his innocent and beloved little brother was no longer the same person he had known in his previous life. However, rather than risk losing Mokuba to a foster home, the young executive shook his head. “I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary lately,” he lied easily, keeping his gaze steady and his voice smooth. “Perhaps he wasn’t lying when he denied the accusations. This certainly doesn’t seem like something Mokuba would do.”

Gunma was silent for a while, and Seto could tell that the man was highly doubtful of his brother's innocence. “I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. The police have taken the video tape with the relevant evidence, so we can only hope that their analysis will give us some more insight into the situation.”

Seto nodded. “Very well. I trust you’ll let me know when they submit their report?”

“Of course,” the white haired man replied, taking off his glasses and fishing a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the lenses. “However, Kaiba-san, I have to warn you that if your brother is guilty, we’ll have to inform Child Services. If Mokuba did commit this crime, he must have been rebelling against something, and there’s a high possibility that he is dissatisfied with his home life. Perhaps having a CEO for an older brother is too much for him to handle. A child at his age is very dependant, Kaiba-san. Perhaps he’s in need of some real parents.”

“I believe this conversation is over,” Seto replied icily as he got to his feet. His jaw was clenched, betraying his strong emotional response to the principal’s words. “Mokuba and I are perfectly content, and we certainly don’t need anyone meddling in our lives. I am perfectly capable of caring for my little brother.”

The principal was silent again, his keen eyes staring up at Seto. They seemed to peer into the brunet’s very thoughts, but the CEO held the accusatory gaze without flinching or looking away. “We shall see,” the man finally replied, sliding his glasses back over the bridge of his nose. “You’re a very busy man, Seto Kaiba, and raising a child isn’t easy. You’re still practically a child yourself.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I assure you it is unnecessary. Good day,” Seto bit back in a harsh, rough voice, effectively ending the conversation. He nodded once at the principal before he turned and exited the office. That man had some nerve, accusing him of negligence. Everything he had ever done, he had done for Mokuba, and the boy should be perfectly happy with his life, even if he didn’t have a limitless credit card. Seto fumed silently as he weaved through the halls of the school on his way towards the main exit, where he found Mokuba held up with two police officers.

He approached the group of three with a confidence that, for once, he wasn’t entirely sure he possessed. “I’ll take him home,” he stated, his voice brooking no argument as he placed a hand on Mokuba’s shoulder. The young teenager flinched and tried to shrug it off, but Seto held firm.

Reluctantly, the two officers agreed, and while maintaining his iron grip on Mokuba’s shoulder, he steered the boy towards his parked car. He waited for his brother to get in the passenger seat before he walked around the vehicle and slid into the driver’s side. He started up the engine, and within moments, they were out on the streets, weaving their way through traffic on route back to their condo.

“Listen,” Seto finally spoke, breaking the silence that stretched between them. “I want to believe you, Mokuba, I really do, but all the evidence points against you. Why don’t you just tell me what happened?”

“I don’t have to tell you shit,” the teen replied sourly, without even sparing his brother a glance. His eyes were fixed on the passing scenery, staring out the window with a guarded expression.

“I’m just trying to help you,” Seto said, softening his voice somewhat and trying to sound convincing. “I only want what’s best for you, Mokuba, but I can’t give that to you if you won’t talk to me.”

“You’re not my father,” the boy replied, his voice quiet but menacing. “So, why don’t you just shut the fuck up?”

The brunet set his jaw and took a deep breath through clenched teeth in an effort to calm his raging emotions. His brother’s words cut straight into his soul, ripping him apart piece by piece. Neither of them spoke for the rest of the ride, and when they were finally home, Mokuba locked himself in his room behind a violently slammed door.

Seto sighed as he quietly and slowly made his way down the hall to his own bedroom. Somehow, after this turn of events, the brunet doubted he would sleep as soundly as he had predicted after the completion of his successful business meeting mere hours ago. As he sank down onto his mattress, still fully clothed but too exhausted to change, doubt and depression settled into his cracked psyche. Rebellious tears of desperation leaked from the corners of his eyes and slid down his smooth, pale cheeks.

How had his life crumbled so thoroughly from the granting of one selfish, thoughtless wish?

Ooo TBC ooO